Axle assembly



May 27, 1930. D. w. VOORHEES. JR

AXLE AS SEMBLY Filed Oct; 15, 1928 Patented May 27, 1930 UNITED STATESDANIEL w. voonnnns, an, or PERU, ILLINOIS AXLE ASSEMBLY Application.filed October 15, 1928.

This invention relates to axles and more particularly to a combined axlestructure including an arrangement of parts that increases greatly thestrength thereof.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of a split axlemember and means for attaching the skein thereto, as well as thestrengthening of the combined axle parts by the use of a truss rod.

Another object lies in the provision of a split axle and mechanism forsecurely attaching the skeins thereto and the manner of tying the skeinsand axle together by means of a rod member.

Other objects will appear in the following specification taken inconnection with the annexed drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is an elevationalview of my combined axle structure and strengthening means and Fig. 2 isa plan view taken on the line 2-2 of Fi 1.

Befhre referring to the drawings, it might be stated that skein membershave previously been secured by various means to axle portions, sucharrangements, however, resulting in the loosening of the cast skein withrespect to the steel axle, due to the extremely hard usage to which theaxle is subjected.

Such old means for securing the skein to the axle do not result in aunit structure which absolutely prevents lateral or other movement ofthe skein with respect to the axle, nor do they provide any means fortaking up the play that results from continuous hard usage.

In the present instance, the inventor has devised a combined axlestructure which results in a substantially unitary axle structuresecurely tied together by means of a specially formed truss rod, andfurther an adjustment means permitting further tightening of the skeinwith respect to the axle upon their becoming loosened due to the hardusage to which such axles are subjected.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a split axle comprising twosteel channel bars 10 and 11. These channel members are arranged inhorizontal parallel relation, but

are spaced apart a slight distance. The chan- Serial No. 312,468.

nels of the members are turned inwardly so that there is produced ineffect a long rectangular member with slots in the top and bottom. Ateither end of the channel members are skein members 12. For simplicityonly 5 one of these is shown, it being understood that the skein at theother end is exactly similar. The skeins 12 are preferably formed ofcast iron.

The inner end of the skein is formed as a stub end 13. This stub end isformed so as to fit between the channel members and to lie within thechannels. This stub end also serves to space the channel members apart.The skein is held in place by bolts 14. and 15 passing through thechannel members and the stub end 13. Additional clamps 16 and 17 aredisposed between the heads and nuts of the bolts 15 and lie against theouter surfaces of the channel members. 70

This particular manner of associating the skeins with the split steelaxle in itself forms a secure attachment of the skeins to the axle.However, in order to further strengthen the skeins and to preventdisplacement in any '3 direction, applicant provides a truss rod 18depended throughout its intermediate portion by means of the pluralmembers 19 and 20 secured to the axle and extending below it. The endsof the truss rod project slightly upward- 1y between the split portionsof the steel axle and through a slot in the bottom side of the stubportion and thereafter laterally within the hollow interior of the castskeins 12, the ends of the truss rods projecting beyond the 535 skein,as may be readily seen in the drawings.

The skeins have an opening 21 through their center for allowing thetruss rod 18 to pass therethrough, and are threaded on the outer reducedend to receive nut 22 provided 99 to keep the wheel in place on same.The truss rod is threaded 011 its outer end as at 23 to receive nut 24,the adjustment of same obviously resulting in the tightening of rod 18with respect to the skeins, and therefore a general tying together ofthe cast skeins and the split steel axle, as well as preventing anyloosening of the skeins.

It may be seen from the above that in the first place such tyingtogether of the various 1 elements of the axle structure acts to preventany loosening of the various elements and therefore obviates, to a largeextent, the possibility of breakage. Further, the particular manner ofassembly of the truss rod With respect to the steel axle and the castskeins permits not only a tying together of these two elements, but alsodue to the adjustable feature, the taking up of any play that may arisein usage of the axle.

In view of the above description of the arrangement of parts and thesimplicity thereof, no further discussion of the operation thereof ormethod of assembly is thought necessary.

Vhat I claim is An axle comprising a pair of parallel spaced oppositelydisposed channel members having their channel portions turned inwardly,skeins at either end of the axle having stub ends fitting between saidchannel mem bers, means for securing said stub ends in position betweensaid channel members, said skeins serving to hold said channel membersin spaced relation, a truss rod extending at its ends through saidskeins, means on the ends of said rod bearing against said skeins, saidrod passing in its central portion between said channel members to apoint below said axle, and means for spacing the central portion of saidtruss rod from said axle.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature.

DANIEL. W. VOORHEES, JR.

